DELTA DENTAL OF MISSOURI AWARDS $730,931 IN ORAL HEALTH GRANTS
The State’s Leading Dental Benefits Provider Has Awarded More Than $1.2 Million in Grants in 2022
ST. LOUIS, Mo. (Dec. 15, 2022) … To help meet the dental health needs of children and adults, Delta Dental of Missouri – the state’s leading dental benefits provider – recently awarded $730,931 in oral health grant funding to 22 organizations in support of oral health initiatives and educational programming in Missouri and in South Carolina, where it also does business. This funding completes the second cycle of the non-profit company’s annual mission giving efforts. During cycle one earlier this year, Delta Dental of Missouri awarded $481,327 in grants to 16 organizations for a combined total of more than $1.2 million in oral health grants for 2022.
“Many of our neighbors throughout the state face challenges in getting dental care,” said Rob Goren, president and chief executive officer at Delta Dental of Missouri. “By donating to a variety of organizations that align with our mission to improve oral health, we’re able to help thousands of children and adults get vital dental treatment and services to enhance their overall health and quality of life.”
The oral health grants most recently awarded in Missouri include:
• SWOPE Health Services (Kansas City) – received $70,000 to purchase equipment for a new KidsCare dental clinic site in Excelsior Springs to serve the Excelsior Springs School District.
• Vivent Health – AIDS Resource Center (St. Louis) – received $50,000 to provide dental care to people who are uninsured or underinsured and living with HIV.
• Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (Statewide) – received $50,000 for the Missouri Dental State Loan Repayment Program to address dental provider shortages by encouraging providers to serve in HPSAs in exchange for loan repayment assistance.
• The Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital (St. Louis) – received $40,000 to address the dental needs of patients with transplants or head or neck cancer and the continued specialized management of oral health to support patients’ long-term health.
• Give Kids A Smile (St. Louis) – received $40,000 to provide comprehensive treatment, preventive care and oral health education at no cost for children who are underserved and at risk.
• We Care Mobile Dental Foundation (St. Louis) – received $25,000 to provide care to individuals with low incomes in assisted living facilities, nursing homes and adult daycare centers.
• Rural Parish Clinic (St. Louis) – received $25,000 to expand its program that provides free dental care through a mobile dental unit to individuals who are uninsured and living in poverty in rural areas.
• Curators of the University of Missouri – Missouri Kidney Program (Columbia) – received $25,000 to help fund dental care and transportation assistance for patients before and after transplants and for patients receiving dialysis treatment.
• Ozark Action Incorporated Head Start (West Plains) – received $19,635 to provide interactive, oral health and nutrition classes for children and their parents/caregivers.
• Hope House Dental Clinic (Lee’s Summit) – received $15,000 to purchase equipment and supplies for its dental clinic for survivors of domestic violence, as well as financial assistance for oral health services outside of the scope of the clinic.
• Dental Lifeline Network (Jefferson City) – received $12,000 to help support free comprehensive treatments for those who lack adequate income for dental care and have a permanent disability, are age 65 or older or qualify as medically fragile.
• Central Missouri Community Action (Columbia) – received $10,000 to provide dental treatment to families with low incomes in Central Missouri.
• Seton Center (Kansas City) – received $5,000 to support no-cost dental services for children from four urban schools.
Delta Dental of Missouri also awarded $344,296 in grants to nine organizations in South Carolina.
Delta Dental of Missouri will begin accepting applications for the first grant cycle of its 2023 Oral Health Grant Program in January. To be eligible for an oral health grant from Delta Dental of Missouri, applicants in Missouri must first complete a letter of inquiry through the online application system at https://www.deltadentalmo.com/AboutUs/oral-health-grant-program, which includes program guidelines and application instructions. Applicants must be considered tax-exempt under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or be a public or governmental entity, such as a public school or health department, and serve the people of Missouri.
About Delta Dental of Missouri
Delta Dental of Missouri is the state’s leading dental benefits provider and a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization. It provides more than 2.1 million members with access to affordable, high-quality dental care through group plans tailored to meet the needs of organizations of all sizes, from large corporations to small businesses with two or more employees. Delta Dental also offers dental benefit plans directly to individuals and families. It also provides access to affordable, high-quality vision care through group vision benefit plans. The company proudly supports oral health initiatives, educational programs and charitable causes that help educate people about the importance of dental health and provide free dental care to those in need. Delta Dental of Missouri also created the Missouri Dental Care Resource Guide to help individuals access information about low-cost and free dental care options in their area—available online at www.DeltaDentalMO.com/ResourceGuide1. To learn more about the company, visit www.DeltaDentalMO.com.